I couldn't quite put it into words, a feeling I couldn't describe.
Wen Siqiang asked, "Do you want to follow him?"
I replied, "He didn't bother us, why should we follow? Let's eat quickly, we still have to travel."
Qian Fugui hadn't spoken at all, just staring down and eating his rice noodles.
After we finished eating, we ordered more food that could be taken on the road. We packed it into bags, paid the bill, and headed out.
We walked to the car. Wen Siqiang put the food and supplies in the trunk. Qian Fugui was now like Wen Siqiang's shadow, inseparable from him.
Qian Fugui had been Wang Dong's subordinate under Wu Guodong. He was an orphan who had wandered since childhood. Once, when Wu Guodong was being cleared out by the government forces, they surrounded the town where he lived. He, along with many villagers, retreated with Wu Guodong. He didn't leave and became a batman for Wang Dong.
At that time, Wang Dong was just a peripheral squad leader. Because Wang Dong was ruthless, Wu Guodong appreciated him and made him his personal guard. Qian Fugui's squad was also upgraded and moved into the main compound.
Although Wang Dong was promoted all the way, Qian Fugui and his comrades' lives didn't improve much. They were still beaten and exploited by Wang Dong, and the men in the squad hated him to the bone.
If the searching soldiers had arrived two or three seconds later that day, Qian Fugui would have probably killed Wang Dong.
Unfortunately, Wang Dong's life was not meant to end. Qian Fugui could never return to Wang Dong's side.
Everyone knew the consequences of betrayal. Perhaps this was a good thing for Qian Fugui. He was an orphan with no one to rely on, and home was wherever he went. He had to learn to be a wise bird choosing its tree.
Wen Siqiang went to ask someone standing by the roadside how to get to the mountains. The person pointed the way. Wen Siqiang nodded, thanked him, and returned to the car.
He said, "It's not far, but the road is difficult. We might have to get out of the car soon."
I said, "Let's go as far as we can. We're all young, we're not afraid of a few steps."
Wen Siqiang replied, "I'm not afraid of the road, you know what I'm afraid of."
I suddenly remembered what Wen Siqiang was afraid of. Mountain paths were unavoidable for that. But it was daytime now, so it was much better.
I said, "Let's find some sticks to take with us to use on the mountain later."
Wen Siqiang got into the car, turned it around, and drove in the direction of the mountains.
Just as people had said, the road became more difficult. After driving a few miles, we were like a small boat on the sea, the car nose rising and falling. We were jolted up and down inside, and the rice noodles we had just eaten were almost coming back up.
We passed a small village. According to the directions of the passerby, we would start entering the mountain further ahead.
The road ahead was really too difficult. In fact, the road ahead could no longer be called a road, it was just passable for vehicles.
Wen Siqiang found a relatively flat spot and parked the car. He said, "We can't drive any further. Let's get out and walk."
I agreed. I felt it would be easier to walk.
We found a few sticks by the roadside and tried them in our hands, seeing if they felt right. Once they were adjusted, Wen Siqiang took down the food we had bought, locked the car, and we headed towards the mountains.
Having learned from the previous experience, we had bought lighters, several small knives with handles, and some essential items. The road was still long. The subtropical region had lush vegetation and numerous animals. No one knew what we might encounter on the way, so we had to be prepared for all sorts of unforeseen situations.
After walking only a few steps, Wen Siqiang pointed behind us and said, "Boss, look!"
I turned around and saw someone I hadn't forgotten.
That old man.
Actually, he walked like the wind and was agile. Judging by his physique, he didn't look like an old man at all. The reason we called him old was because of his weather-beaten face. If you only looked at his build, we were all inferior to him.
He had only set off a little earlier than us, and even though we were driving, he had arrived at the same spot as us.
None of us moved. We stood there waiting for him to approach.
I took a step forward and when he reached us, I cupped my fists and said, "Senior, we meet again!"
He was startled for a moment, then quickly returned to his original composure. He didn't reply, his footsteps unchanged as he walked past me.
I continued, "Senior, may I have a word with you in private?"
He hesitated for a moment, then stopped. With a blank expression, he said, "Young man, you must be polite when speaking to an elder."
I quickly said, "It was my rudeness. I apologize to you. The first time I saw you, Senior, I felt that you were by no means an ordinary person, so I was very eager to get to know you!"
He finally stopped, but without turning around, he retorted, "I am a nobody, a country bumpkin. How can I be considered an extraordinary person? Little brother thinks too highly of me."
I said, "Absolutely not. I say this from the bottom of my heart. I sincerely wish to get to know you!"
He then turned around and said, "Although I am not a distinguished person, my principle is not to get acquainted with people casually. Since little brother says so, then tell me first, who are you, and why are you here? I'll see if you are qualified for me to know."
Seeing an opportunity, I quickly said, "Senior, my name is Li Hua, from Ruili. I do some rough stone business in Ruili."
The old man said, "Oh, I didn't realize. You're so young, driving such a nice car, and doing business with rough stones. It seems the world of rough stones is very deep. Then let me ask you again, why are you here?"
I said, "My father has a strange illness. Someone told me there is a master in this mountain who specializes in treating difficult and complicated diseases. I am here to seek medical advice." In my haste, I didn't know how else to answer, so I used my father as an excuse.
He said, "Seeking medical advice? What master could there be in this remote and desolate place? If you are ill, you should go to a big city or a big hospital. Coming here means you're either crazy or misled, which will delay your treatment and could be fatal, you know?"
I had to continue my fabrication. "I've been to all sorts of hospitals, but the more I'm treated, the worse it gets. As the saying goes, a desperate person will grasp at any straw. We have to try if there's even a sliver of hope."
The old man said, "I didn't expect you to be such a filial son. The person you're talking about, if I'm not mistaken, lives halfway up the mountain?"
I said, "Yes."
He laughed heartily, "I've known this person for decades. He knows some medicinal arts, but he doesn't have any miraculous skills that can bring the dead back to life. How could anyone call him a master? However, this person is indeed very eccentric, otherwise, he wouldn't live alone halfway up the mountain. Whether he can cure your father's illness is another matter, and it's uncertain if he'll even see you."
I said, "Senior, thank you for your guidance. I still haven't asked for your name?"
The old man said, "I'm just a villager, I don't need a name. Since you call me 'Senior' so smoothly, just call me Senior."
I had no choice but to cup my fists again, call him Senior, and then say, "Senior, do you also live in the mountains?"
The old man said, "To tell you the truth, he and I are neighbors. However, we don't interact, because, as I said earlier, anyone who lives here is considered eccentric."
After saying that, he threw his head back and laughed. The laughter was deafening, echoing in the mountains for a long time.